American children’s periodicals, 1789-1810

[NOTES: Unless noted, page size is the size when trimmed,
usually for binding; page size is approximate. Page size is described
as height by width, thus: [measurement in inches]″ h x [measurement in
inches]″ w

• about frequency: semimonthly: twice a month (usually 24 issues per year);
biweekly: every other week (usually 26 issues per year);
bimonthly: every other month (usually 6 issues per year)

• about availability: selections or complete issues available
for free on the Internet, or available at libraries on microform or in databases

• Prospectus: “Each Number of this work will contain
48 Pages, duodecimo, printed on good paper and letter, and will be sold at
Four Shillings and Six-Pence a dozen, or Six Pence a
single number. This work is designed to furnish Children, from seven to
twelve years of age, with a variety of lessons on various subjects, written in
a plain, neat, familiar style, and proper to lead them from the easy language
of Spelling-Books up to the more difficult style of the best writers.”
[advertisement. Connecticut Courant. 2 Feb 1789: p. 3, col 3]

• Introduction: “It is a general complaint among the teachers of
schools, that children want some lessons, written in a familiar style and on
entertaining subjects, to conduct them in their progress from a Spelling-Book
to such reading as is found in the American Selection, Scotts
Lessons and the Art of Speaking. It is also a complaint that
children are obliged to read too long in the same book ; by which means
the subjects become familiar and cease to command the attention. To remove
these complaints, is the design of this publication. The subjects are such
as children can mostly comprehend …. The language and manner of
writing are reduced to their capacities—the variety of subjects will at the
same time, gratify and keep alive the passion of curiosity, which
prompts the young mind to exertions; while the desire of novelty will
be, in some measure, satisfied by the reading of a new book every
month. … The undertaking is novel, and the Editors could not but feel some
doubt of its success; yet when they considered the great advantage to youth
that must result from a faithful execution of the plan, they determined to
hazard something in an attempt to serve the interest of education, and now
commit a success to an indulgent public.” [“Preface.” 1 (Jan 1789): iii-iv]

relevant information:

• The February issue was not available when the periodical was microfilmed as part of
the American Periodicals Series; the issue is available as part of the American Antiquarian
Historical Periodicals database.

• Except for the introduction to the magazine, all the
pieces in the Children’s Magazine appeared first in
one of two magazines published in England by John Marshall in 1788: The Family Magazine or
The Juvenile Magazine, which
was “chiefly intended for young people from Seven to
Fourteen years of age.” [1 (Jan 1788): 2]
Pieces were sometimes “localized” when they were reprinted: London becomes New York
in one story, while “a Briton” is changed to “Columbia” in a poem.
Some pieces were illustrated with engravings in the British periodicals which apparently
didn’t appear in the Children’s Magazine. The
table of contents of the Children’s Magazine
includes information on where the piece appeared in the British periodical.

relevant quote: The paper contained news and information extracted
from newspapers for adults: “A knowledge of this world …, dear youth, would
be highly useful to you. This world, indeed, is not that, for which we are
destined. Another we expect after this, where godliness, piety and virtue
shall see their reward. But this world presents us the road to these rewards.
We cannot avoid this passage and we must look before us and round us, to run
our race with safety. This implies the necessity of an early knowledge of
the world and the study of the human heart. It is my intention, by a
news-paper, wholly dedicated to you and suited to your capacities to aid
such a design. Read these leaves, dear children, in your leisure hours. By
degrees they will afford you a treasure of knowledge. After reading, let me
advise you, not to tear the innocent paper or throw it away, but gather all
the numbers and put them together. In a years time, I shall present you with
a title page and an index. This will enable you, to overlook in an hour,
what you have learned in a year.” [#1 (30 Sept 1797): 1-2]

relevant quote: Introduction: “We have observed with concern the
numerous trifling publications almost daily issuing from the press, under
various alluring titles, calculated to force the attention of children, and
to poison the young mind with a love for romance, at the serious expence of
useful and ornamental acquisitions. Many of these are read with avidity by
the enquiring mind; and not unfrequently lead the most promising youths into
error. … [W]e conceive we cannot devote our time more properly, or employ
our press more profitably to ourselves, or advantageously to the rising
generation of America, than by publishing monthly (or more frequently should
sufficient encouragement offer) a volume devoted peculiarly to their
entertainment and information. … [W]e are inclined to believe, that, from
the judicious, even among the youth, we will find such encouragement, both
pecuniary and literary, as will enable us to prosecute our design: being
well convinced that in the minds of all young persons there is a natural love
for truth, and that the prevailing taste for romance, arises more from the
super-abundance of that description of books, and a scarcity of those of a
contrary tendency, than from any innate disposition of the mind for such
reading. … We do not propose to exclude every kind of fiction: agreeable
tales, inculcating some moral precept, or inforcing the observance of some
duty, will always find a place in our miscellany.” [“Preface.” 1 #1 (1802):
3-5.]

description: 4 pp.; page size, 10″ h x 9″ w; price, $1/ year:
“The FIRST number is sent to the inhabitants of
Boston, generally, gratis. The
SECOND will be delivered only
to those who patronise the undertaking.” [“Conditions.” 1 (16 Oct 1805): 1]

relevant quotes:

• Introduction: “It is freely acknowledged that there is already a
surplusage of Periodical works in circulation, some of which
are conducted with superior skill and judgment; but considerably above the
common level of Juvenile comprehension. To remedy this increasing
inconvenience will be the object of this publication; in the prosecution of
the plan of which, it will be the undeviating aim of the Editors, to present
a valuable combination of useful and interesting subjects, particularly
designed for the improvement of Youth of both sexes. …
[The paper] will be agreeably diversified with subjects humorous, literary
and light;—Essays instructive and amusing;—Historical and Biographical
sketches, Poetry, Tales, Epigrams, Anecdotes, and a variety of incidental
matter.” [“To the Public.” 1 (16 Oct 1805): 1]

• In 1806, changes were promised: the paper was to be published weekly,
“when the whole and undivided attention of one of the Editors
will be devoted to it, and consequently the conduction of it greatly improved;
as they have not, from their respective engagements to different offices,
been able to bestow but a few hours’ attention on any one number which has
yet been published. … The size, until the first volume is completed,
will continue the same as at present, for the conveniency of binding; but the
type will be smaller, and the paper will contain as much matter
as “The Boston Magazine.” [1 (5 Feb 1806): 35]

• Changes were promised again in April 1806: “[W]e intend, (in
compliance with the repeated solicitations of our friends) after the present
number, to publish the Fly WEEKLY—to
devote our time and attention particularly to it, and to cause the
papers to be regularly delivered to subscribers in Boston on the day of
publication. But, as the attendant expense will then be double what
it has hitherto been, the price will be necessarily augmented; and,
instead of one, we must request the punctual payment quarterly
in advance, of Two Dollars per annum. But,
as, during the past six months, our little paper has appeared only once a
fortnight, the price for the first year will be One Dollar fifty
cents—one third of which has already been pretty generally
paid—Fifty cents we request our patrons to advance on the reception of the
next number, and the remainder at the expiration of three months
from the present time.” [1 (2 April 1806): 51] Which probably explains
why that was the last issue.